Testing device for camera synchronizers



July 5, 1949. P. K. McGALL TESTING DEVICE FOR CAMERA SYNCHRONIZERS Filed May 8, 1946 5mg [um WML irme/IEX Patented `lul-y 5, 1.949i

UNITED TESTING DEVICE FOR CAMERA SYNCHRONIZERS Philip K. McGall, Orange, N. J., assignor to Samuel Mendelsohn, Montclair, N. J.

Application May S, 1946, Serial No. 668,111

(Cl. i3-5) 6 Claims.

The present invention relates to a testing device for regulating the opening of a camera shutter, so that the latter can be accurately timed with a camera synchronizer of the type now comm-only employed in the photographic art, for causing complete opening of a camera shutter simultaneously with the moment of peak intensity from a photoflash lamp, and constitutes an improvement on the device as shown in Patent No. 2,332,587, issued October 26, 1943, to Samuel Mendelsohn and the present applicant, as coinventors.

Prior to the time lthe testing device, as shown in this Mendelsohn et al. Patent was invented, it was the usual practice for the manufacturer to set each synchronizing apparatus at the factory and should such apparatus get out of adjustment during usage it was necessary to return it to the factory for re-adjustment. Accordingly the photographer would be without his synchronizer for the interim required to return it to the factory for repairs and shipment to and from the factory entailed some expense.

The testing device described in the above noted Mendelsohn et al. patent eliminated these disadvantages since it can be readily employed by any camera dealer and only a few minutes is required to properly adjust the synchronizer. Such testing device is, however, subject to the disadvantage that the operator cannot readily determine from immediate observation whether the synchronizer is fast .or slow and must make such determination empirically.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a synchronizer tester for accurately timing the operation of a camera shutter to synchronize complete opening of the shutter with the moment of peak intensity of a photoash lamp and whereby the operator may determine immediately whether a synchronizer is operating fast or slow.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a synchronizer tester which is accurate and reliable for timing the operation of a camera shutter to synchronize the complete opening of the shutter with the moment of peak intensity of a photoflash lamp and which is substantially insensitive to line voltage fluctuations.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a synchronizer tester for accurately timing the operation of a camera shutter to synchronize the complete opening of the shutter with the moment of peak intensity of a photoflash lamp, wherein the tester is operated by the source of electrical energy for the synchronizer regardless of a variation in the voltage of the latter, and the operator can readily discern whether the synchronizer is fast or slow for purposes of required adjustment.

Still further objects of the present invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein the single iigure is a schematic illustration of the synchronizer tester constructed in accordance with the present invention.

' Referring now to the drawing in detail the testing apparatus is enclosed within a cabinet, shown by the dash and dot lines 5, and is provided with a signal lamp 6 in the form of a jewel bulls-eye for indicating when the tester is connected to a source of electrical supply of the customary domestic potential of volts through an attachment plug 1, upon closure of the energizing switch 8.

Extending from a sloping Wall of the cabinet 5 is an annular projection or hub 9 surrounded by a resilient collar l0 of yieldable rubber or the like and a lens l2 is positioned interiorly of and at one end of the collar II] to form a window, so that a camera shutter I3 of a camera I4 may be pressed against the yieldable collar or window I0, thus preventing extraneous light from striking the camera shutter I3. The synchronizer to be synchronized with the camera shutter I3 may be of any type but is illustrated as being of the type shown in Patent No. 2,204,424, issued June 11, 1940, to Samuel Mendelsohn, to Whom the present application is assigned.

Inasmuch as the synchronizer per se forms no part of the present invention, it is believed unnecessary that it be herein described in detail. As schematically shown it comprises a battery case shown by the dash and dot lines l5 housing the usual two or three cell flashlight batteries IS and a pair of terminals I1 which connect to the usual photolash lamp (not shown). Also affixed to the battery case is the synchronizer mechanism shown generally at I8 which is cocked and held in this position by the armature I9 of a solenoid 20 until the latter is energized by depression of a switch 22. Since the mechanism I8 is connected by a cable release 23 to the camera shutter I3, operation of the mechanism I8 by energization of the solenoid 20 simultaneously with energization of the photoiiash lamp connected to the terminals I1, causes opening of the camera shutter I3 by movement of the cable release 23.

Referring now to the tester within the cabinet 5 it is first connected to a source oi supply by attaching the plug 1 to the usual receptacle and when it is desired to test the camera shutter I3, the hand switch 8 is closed, to the position shown in full lines in the drawing, which energizes the signal lamp 6 from the mains LI-LZ through a resistance 24. At the same time the primary winding 25 of, a low.-voltage transformer 2,5 receives 115 volts from the mains; L11-.L23 which mains LI--L2 also energize a rectier unit 21.

This rectier unit may be of any type well;l

known in the art which converts the 115 volt A. C. from source Ll-L2 into unidirectional".orldirect current of 250 Volts D. C. One such unit comprises a pair oi condensers each: oil wl'iichY isI charged during alternate half waves cycle through a rectifier valve,v thus, producing a voltage doubling output circuit represented byf the conductors 728 and 29, which are connected to a condenser 3E having a capacity of about 0.5 microfarad so 1 as to ycharge thelatter to l azvoltage ofA approximately 25,0` volts.` Moreover, once thisy condenser 3,6 is completelycharged', at `this D.: C. potential oi 250 volts, its output fo r discharge voltage will remain constantvijegardlessfof fluctuations ofthe supply sourcelL'l;LA.;- Y

Upon attractionof 'an armature .32,of a'pony` relay 33. this condenser 301, discharges through a; gaseous discharge lamp 34, such as. asrnalllneon flasher lamp, disposed withinl the collar4v I0., rear wardly ofthe lens l 2. The condenser 301 together with its charging circuit thus constitutes.V an energizing source forv the lafmp;34.. The. output: circuit of. the rectifier untwhich, charges, the. condenser. Sil, is provided with'resistances 35- and.l 35 ofV about y A I l h continuous glowing of the lamp, 313.-and.thusftoyA restrict lighting ofthe latterA tQtheJnomen-t of discharging of condenser 30.

The-.secondary Wind-111e 3 1 0f transformen 25:.' delivers a current-oi apli),1^ 0xirn-ate lyy 27 ajmperes at 6 te? volts 211111V is connected through-.e 'potentiemeter Str-3.9i @11H1V a. retier unit-.140,1 with@ windinroithe pony relay 33,; uponf attractionof; thewarmature 42of;a, micro-relay;M1;` A- condenser,

Mfbvilaboutfz mid. capacitvisonnectedacross.- 45

thekoutput circuit of the .rectifier unitf ftosunplyr constantvoltage when it is completely'. charged'.v to` the ..po ny relay 331.' Theenergizing circuit; for relayft thus constitutes a. control for th een -n',` gization ci the lamp. `318. The winding. of -micro... relay 'Z3-,r whichI together withgits armature 421 causes closure of the controlcircuit;including:refv lay 33, is arranged to ,be-connected,l braaf. two y.conf

ductor cable 45 extending betweenterminals Mir.

onthe tester cabinet andftermin'als] on'i the.. 55

battery case 15;, tothe batteries'V lli:y upon de-v pression of the pushfbuttonr22fand thearelay. 431. mai/beithus said to substitute for the usual photos, flash lamp.

. Potentiometer 38vof about 31ohms-isfoperatedbyy a knob-from theface of, thev cabinet.- 5 andl has three settings each of which producesarecti ed voltage supplied to pony` relay'33 oi-approximately 3.3, 4.1 'and' 4.8 yvoltsland co'r'responding toash durations of 23, 20 and18 r'nillisf'foonds, respectively, while potentiom'eterl- 3491- ofabout 10"# ohms. is used for coarse adjustmentto-originallyset the tester for the standard photoflash-duration voi 20 milliseconds. Iniothenlwo'rds potentie meter 3811s turnedto its `20fmillise'sc'ond position and adjustment of potentiometer-391thenfmadef until the synchronizer operates in20 millisecnfids, which is the initial factory setting of the` tester` and corresponds to the-time for-a standard photothere@ .lamp Mffceusiiiermeraeata flash lamp to reach peak intensity'. Afterward potentiometer 38 is moved to its other positions of 18 and 23 milliseconds only during testing to de-l termine whether a given camera shutter is faster or slower than 20 milliseconds. The potentiometer 38--39 when adjusted to the desired setting thus operates astime delay,means` corresponding to that` of flash to peak intensity of alstandard photoash lamp, as well for a lamp faster or slower than standard, depending upon the potentiometer setting.

When it-iisdesired to operate the testing apparatus-to synchronize a camera shutter and a synchronizeiythe'tester 5 is connected by the plug 'I oo asource of supply and the switch 8 closed, as previously mentioned. This not only lights the signal or pilot lamp 6 but also causes the rectifier unitvZI-Ylsto'charge condenser 30 as well as causing the transformer secondary winding 31 to become energized, The Camere shutter. 13 beine 111 front of the Window lllthe operator then ldepresses 4the button or switch 22 through ,the shutter towardtheflash lamp 3.4.

Closure ofv switch' 22 accordingly completesv circuits from thebatteries IB tothe windingoi". synchronizer relay or solenoid and tomicrorelay, 1l'causng,suoli. relays to attractl their re.. spective armatures.. (Q and 4,2. ceedingly sensitive is responsive .to-.small current not( and' hence consumes very the batteries I6. Movement of the armature .i 970i, solenoid 2 t trips. the l. previously.. cocked 1,. synchrof nizermechanism. |8, causingthedatter to move` thslprewiouslv mentioned: Central. y Circuit tf1/ lthe 1. Energization ofy the relay y to;

pony 1121er; 33.1:

actuate its armature 32 completesthe discharge Girmi-tier-C11de11ssruthrough the gaseous 111,5u

ingfof theflatter...l

prionto. thepresent`invention,. determine whether. or-not-the.. shutteruwas. fast-or-fslow..` except by..

tedious empirical adjustment of the synchronizer, In.- accordance'.withthe present inventiontbe operator i-needonly` rotate; theipotentiometenknob\ 38f.-.to,.the A23-:mi1lisecondy Jposition; and then repeat.- theoperationby.depressing the switch 221.- ande observing theflash of ,lampl 34 through y the shutter.. If thev shutterv was .slowon the rst test1it= shouldr now*` be .soll completely openl that Lno conguration :can beA observedlsincefthetime for the flaslrto-occur--requiredf28 milliseconds. Should a slight1conguration be obseivedftheoperatorthen knows f that he xmust l speed 1operation-1 of --the syncln'onizer-v byl lesseningthe4 distance the armature I l-"fof4 solenoiditravels before tripping which is accomplishedby movement of adjustmentA screw while4v gazing with his eye 48 Relay 4.3,; being exlittle power: from The time. req 11rd: for; this.. flashing m1000111", feller/111e; 1 depression 0f f switch.;

suflicient time delayinthe operation ofi; ,thecontrol circuit., standard;

49. The knob of potentiometer 38 is then again moved to its milliseconds position and an eX- posure repeated. When the synchronizer is properly adjusted the shutter will be determined as completely opening at the instant of flashing of lamp 34 by the absence of any conguration and the observation of a general blur of illumination.

The reverse is likewise true should the camera synchronizer be too fast. To determine this Condition, particularly for high-speed camera shutters, the operator sets the potentiometer knob 33 on the 18 milliseconds position and makes an observation. Should this show practically a complete opening oi the shutter in 18 milliseconds he then returns the knob 38 to its 20 milliseconds position and slows down the synchronizer I8 by increasing the distance the armature I9 must travel before tripping the synchronizer mechamsm.

It can thus be readily seen by those skilled in the art that a synchronizer tester is herein provided which is accurately and reliably operable to precisely synchronize the complete opening of a camera shutter with the moment of peak intensity of a photoflash lamp. Moreover, the operator can with speed and facility determine whether the camera shutter is fast or slow thus immediately ascertaining the required adjustment to eiiect complete synchronism. The synchronizer tester oi the present invention requires very little power for operation and is also substantially insensitive to voltage fluctuations both from the main source of supply and the control or tripping source, constituting the synchronizer batteries.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described it is to be understood that other modications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for testing a camera synchronzer for adjustment to produce the peak intensity of a photoflash lamp at the moment of complete opening of a camera shutter, comprising a light source, energizing means to produce illumination from said light source, preset means to initially set the duration of illumination to simulate the peak intensity of a standard photoflash lamp, means operable by an operator to control said energizing means to vary the time of duration of said illumination to simulate a plurality of peak intensity periods produced by photoflash lamps in addition to that of said standard lamp and actuating means operable by said synchronizer under test to cause an operation of said controlling means to momentarily illuminate said light source at different time durations for adjustment of said synchronizer to coincide with a selected period of time duration of said illumination occurring simultaneously with complete opening of said camera shutter.

2. An electrical system for testing a camera synchronizer for adjustment to operate at the peak intensity of a photoflash lamp simultaneously with the complete opening of a camera shutter, comprising a light source, energizing means to produce illumination from said light source, preset means for controlling said energizing means to produce illumination from said light source for a period of time duration equal to that of a standard photoflash lamp, means operable by an operator for controlling said energizing means to produce illumination from said light source for periods of time oi lesser and greater' duration than said standard photoflash lamp and actuating means operable by said synchronizer to cause an operation of said controlling means to produce illumination for said different periods of duration for adjustment of said synchronizer to coincide with said standard period of time duration when occurring simultaneously with complete opening of said camera shutter.

3. A synchronizing tester for accurately adjusting a synchronizing device normally operable to cause complete opening of a given camera shutter simultaneously with the moment of peak intensity from a photoilash lamp comprising a light source, energizing means adapted to cause said light source to produce momentary illumination symbolic of the moment of peak intensity of a photoflash lamp, control means adapted to be operated by an operator to cause operation of said energizing means and including a visual adjustable member for regulating the time delay of the ilash to peak intensity oi said light source so as to correspond to that of a standard photoflash lamp as well as greater and less than that of a standard photoilash lamp, and actuating means operable by said synchronizing device under test to cause operation of said control means with attendant operation of said energizing means to momentarily illuminate said light source simultaneously with opening of a given camera shutter of said synchronizing device, to enable an observer to View 'the momentary illumination of said light source through the open Camera shutter and determine from the setting of said adjustable member whether the synchronizing device under test is faster or slower in completely opening the given camera shutter at the instant of momentary illumination of said light source in order to ascertain the required adjustment for the synchronizing device to precisely synchronize the complete opening of the given camera shutter with the moment of peak intensity of a standard photoash lamp.

fl. A synchronizing tester for accurately adjusting a synchronizing device normally opera- .ble to cause complete opening of a given camera shutter simultaneously with the moment of peak intensity from a photoash lamp comprising a light source, energy storage means for accumulating a direct current and adapted to be connected to said light source to cause the latter to produce momentary illumination symbolic of the moment of peak intensity of a photo'flash lamp, control means adapted to be operated by an operator to cause connection of said energy storage means to said light source including a visual adjustable member for regulating the time delay of the flash to peak intensity of said light source so as to correspond to that of a standard photoflash lamp as well as greater and less than that of a standard photoflash lamp, and actuating means operable by said synchronizing device under test to cause operation of said control means simultaneously with opening of the given camera shutter by said synchronizing device, to enable an observer to view the momentary i1- lumination of said light source through the open camera shutter and determine from the setting of said adjustable member whether the synchronizing device under test is faster or slower in completely opening the given camera shutter at the instant of momentary illumination of said light source in order to ascertain the required adjustment for the synchronizing device to precisely synchronize the complete opening of the 7l given camera sl'ix'itter:` with V the -momentr of :pealcfV intensityY .of av standardlphotoash lamp;

5. A@ synchronizing4 testerforl accurately ack justing a synchronizingy de-vice-y normally opera'- ble tocauseI complete. opening of-I agiven camera shutter simultaneously with the moment of peakA intensity from aphoto'ash lampfoomprising a light sou-ree, energy'storage means: for accumulating a direct current and-adapted'lIto-vbe connected tol said-light sourcefltou'causef th'ellatterl to produce momentaryillumination symbolic of: the moment ofv peaki intensity of a phot'oashlamp, a constant-1oWVoltagecontrolr circuity includingk a relay-operable to causeconnection ofsaid' energy storagey means to said lighty source' and`v` avisual adjustable-member forlregvulatingv the.y time Y delay in the operationioffsaidrelay prior to connecting said energystorage-'vmeansto said lighty sourceso as to@correspcndftov th'at of flash topeak intensityfofL ay standardflphotoflasll lamp, n

and actuating means'` operableJ by` said Isynchronizing device:v under test tor causeoperation of saidfrelay by closure of said: control, circuit si multaneously with openingof Ythe givencamera shutter by sa-id synchronizing devi-cef; to enable an` observer to Viewk the momentary illumination. of said light source Ithrough theopenfcamera-:sl'iut ter a-nd=determine from the setting-of^said2ad` justable member Whether the synchronizing deviceunder testis faster or-slower lx1-"completelyy opening the given camera shutteratfthe instant of momen-taryillumina-tion of said lig-ht source inA order to-ascertain therequired"adjustment'for the synchronizing -deviceto preciselyl synchronize thel complete opening Iof the given camera vshut-- ter withy the moment of peak* intensity of a standard pl'iotoashf lamp;

6. A synchronizing teste1'-fo1' accurately ad'-v justing a synchronizing devicew normallyv operable to cause Vcomplete openingk ofi a" given camera shutter simultaneously with the moment ofvpeak-2 intensity from a-photolash-` 1amp-compri`sing ay light source, energy storage mean-s' foraecumu-v to ccrmectingI said `l energy storage means -toy saidL light source so ias 1fto-correspond to thatv of flash to peak intensity of da .standard photoflash lamp asv-WelllasA greater vand-less than thatiof 1a stand ard-f ph'otcash'flamp',I and" actuating meansine I cludingl almicro-relay operable: bylfsaid synchro nizingf device under test: toicauseoperationroff said lponyi 'relay-y simultaneously' withv e openingL of f' the given CamerashuttBrI b-y-` said synchronizingf dev-ice; to `eria'ibie an` observerl to zview ther momen-- 4tary illumination of said light source through vtitle open.camerawshutterrand determine from thefsetting' of :said 'adjustable member Wlethen thesyncnronizing.l device under ytest is'k faster or slower inf completely.' opening:4 the.: given camera-'shutter at` the Linstant foffm'omentary: illumination ofsald light'sourcefin ordersto ascertain the required? adjustment i'orA the synchronizing'fd'evice:to :pree cisely synchronize lthe: completey opening of thel given l camera:` shutter i" with' 1 th'ef moment I4 of peak.

intensityflof a .standardlphotoflash lamp-.'-

REFERENCES i CITED The following ,references are' of recordinjlie le' of this patent:

Number Name Date 1,782,100 l Schleicher-et a1.1 Nov.' 181' 15330'l 2,123,063' Peters- Ju1y '5', 1938' 2,265,039 HarderV Dec. 2; 1941 2,332,587 Mendelsohn et al. Oct: 26;-` 1943 2,360-068- Martindell T c Octf 10,11944 

